The Believers’ Responsibility: Caring for the Least of These Part Four

            The price of indifference is too high to pay. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus provided four insights into why the believer cannot be indifferent to those in need. First, believers cannot afford to be indifferent towards Jesus and His return (Rev 16:15; Matt 24:43; 1 Thess 5:2, 5:4; 2 Pet 3:10). Second, believers cannot afford to be indifferent towards the resources of time, talent, and treasure that God gives them to assist those in need (Matt 24:45-25:30). Third, believers cannot afford to be indifferent towards the needy people all around them (1 John 3:17). Fourth, believers cannot afford to be indifferent towards a lost humanity that will stand in judgment (1 John 4:20).

Believers share great responsibility to the poor, which includes understanding that the deeds performed do not result into entry into the kingdom, but merely manifest God’s grace in their lives. James says that the deeds are evidence of saving faith by those who claim to have faith (2:14-26) because salvation is not based on works, but on faith (Eph 2:8-9). Additionally, Jesus pointed out to His followers that the poor would always be with them. (Matt 26:11). In other words, a responsibility of the believer is to take advantage of the opportunities to demonstrate their love toward God by responding to those in need. Ministry to the homeless will open doors for the gospel message (Luke 4:16-19; Jas 2:15-17).

A theology of homelessness recognizes that many in such a state are desperate; they need the love, grace, and the hope of the gospel with physical needs taken care as well. From a biblical perspective, inaction and apathy are unacceptable. A biblical perspective acknowledges that there is something inherent and God-given in people to desire a safe place to stay and to have help extended to those in need. Churches need Christians to be the ones who fight the hardest for the resources necessary for the success and retention of homeless college students on college campuses. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 25:42-45:

For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger, and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. Then they also will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?” Then He will answer them, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”